Standard Operating Procedures

23 May 2014 1325 Z

Friday Focus on IFR

Today’s Focus installment underscores the importance of using standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure that you exercise “due diligence” during every phase of flight.

“Competent instrument pilots execute due diligence for every stage of flight: from preflight planning to postflight securing of the airplane. They do not cut corners. They do not take shortcuts. They do not make up haphazard plans as they go along. They follow consistent habits—so-called standard operating procedures (SOPs)—with respect to analyzing complete weather data, assessing risk, applying crew resource management techniques, and using checklists to ensure safe operations throughout their flights.”

Source: Instrument Flying: 10 Indispensable Principles to Know and Remember. (p. 18).

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